World's shortest man

Chandra Bahadur Dangi of Nepal is now officially the world's shortest living man. He's 21.5" (54.6 cm) tall. If you have a hard time estimating that, notice the, er, iPad included in the photo above for comparison. Dangi beat out the Philippine's Junrey Balawing by two full inches. From Guinness World Records:

Chandra claims to be 72 years of age and weighs 14.5kg. He has spent his entire life in the remote Nepalese mountain village of Rhimkholi, about 250 miles west of Kathmandu. He lives there with his five brothers (all of an average height) and makes his living weaving traditional Nepalese garments. Chandra's home is so remote that it wasn't until recently that he gained attention; a forest contractor cutting timber in the village met him and informed local media.

Until now, Chandra's stature has been a burden; acutely aware of the difficulties of fitting into an average-sized world. However he is hopeful that the new title will see a change in his fortunes. "I'm very happy that I'm being recognized by Guinness World Records and that my name will be written in book. It's a big thing for my family, my village and my country. I am very happy.

Chandra's condition has never been diagnosed, as he has never received a checkup from a doctor. It is hoped however that the exposure he receives from as a result of his new record will lead to medical advice and support.

My thoughts exactly. A child born with whatever condition he has in an industrialized country would likely have already been tortured, and perhaps killed, by the ‘healthcare’ system in an attempt to make him ‘normal’.

Absolutely, since the standard course of modern medical treatment for someone like this is to strap them to the rack and stretch them out until they’re normal-sized. Then if they survive that, shoot them directly in the forehead.

Actually, it is — it’s just done with drugs and surgery, rather than with racks and guns. (Just ask anyone who’s grown up with a significant congenital condition and interacted with the orthodox medical profession from a young age.) The casual and culturally sanctioned brutality of ‘modern medicine’ would shock anyone not immersed in its ideology from birth onwards.

And I bear the scars of my treatments. And I’ve suffered through radiation. And I poison my body. But you know what? I’m alive. I’m alive and I can function in real society. Had I declined those treatments, I would have died in agony. Had I gone with an “alternative” course of treatment, I would have died in agony. Had I accepted that my cells grow in their own special and unique way, I would have felt good about myself as I died in agony.

You don’t need to stay up on that soapbox just because you’re afraid you’ll slip on the way down. I assure you, modern medicine can fix a sprained ankle.

I’m not sure of what the correct PC terminology is for shorter people these days – there are various different conditions, but they do generally live to a very decent old age. The opposite is the case for people with definable medical conditions which increase height well above average – they tend to die prematurely.

I’m glad he’s happy about it… my first thought was that notifying the media seemed like a pretty insensitive thing to do. But maybe the forest contractor got permission… it sounds like Chandra is really looking forward to seeing more of the world and using his fame to support his village.